Electric switch



Sept. 20, 1932. l.. v. LUCIA ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. .29. 1929 INVENTOR. L au15 y L U01/:

wf Arran/my f Patented Sepa 2o,v 1932 UNITED `STATES* .pars-Nr' orifice Louis v. Lucia, or wamnuny, oomc'ricur, Assi'enon 'ro 'ran f WOLCOTT ITG. C0., A-GOBPORLATION 0l' GONHECTQIICUT appuuuufaua november, me. semi m. 410.326.

This invention relates to electric snap switches.

It has for its object to provide a switch of the two 'pole -type which is sim le and l economical in construction. `A furt er object of my invention is to rovide a switch which can be easil assem led either to a plate or to a tube rom the inside. Further objects of my invention are to l0 provide a mechanism for such an' improved switch which can be assembled without the use of machinery or special tools, each part being so designed that it can be readily put in lace "and the kswitch comfpletely(- assem-` astene `in its llble at the time that it is place.

A preferred form of my device is shown in the accompanying drawing.. which showsy 9 .curling irons.

In this drawing, Figure 1 shows a plan view of the switch as assembled in a curling iron handle which is artly broken away to show construction. u Figure 2 shows a side view of the switch the same as used in connection with electric t Ain cross section as assembled to' the same-r handle.

Fi re 3 is an end view in elevation of the switc the handle being shown in cross section.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the top plate.

n Fi re 5 is a side elevation showing the switc completely assembled, but not attached. v

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing how the switch is used in connection with an electric heating device such as a curling iron.

In the drawing, the numeral 5 denotes a curling iron handle having a ferrulel6 mounted thereon, and the tube 7 inserted partly within said handle while apivoted co-operating curling member 7 is operatively con nected to co-operate with the tube and has a handle `portionadjacent and operative from the handle 5 in a'well known manner.

1 Al heating element 8 is inserted within the tube 7. f One end of this heating element is connectedto one of the lead wires 9 extend-v u ing from an-electric cord 10. The other-end of the element is connected to the switch, as is also the other lead wire 11.

The switch which comprises my invention is composed of a shell 12 which is made of an insulating material and preferably formed of a molded material such as bakelite.

Threaded inserts 13 are molded within the said shell in position to en age the screws 14.

The shell 12 is provided with a recess 15 and side walls 16. The bottom ofsaid recess is raised in the center as, at' 17 to provide a rocking surface for the spring 18 which is mounted within the said recess. A ball 19 is mounted on top of the said spring and adaptled to be engaged b an actuating slide cam 20'. This slide cam as a point or raised boss which actuates the ball 19. Contacts 22v and 23 are fastened to the shell by means of contact screws 24 and projecting ears which are adapted vto lie 25. These contacts have 'l within the recess 15 of the shell and the said f b means of the screws 14 an this plate is.

a apted t osition the cam 20 in sliding relation with t e ball 19. The platev 26 has an opening 27 through which an actuating thumb piece 28 projects and in position wherein it mag be readily actuated by the thumb.

s shownin F' re 6 the switch is interimposed. between t e electric circuit 29 and an electric heating element 8. When the ball is in position between the two contactl members, the circuit -is closed, so that" the current may flow throu h the said ball and energize the element. lWhen-the ball is moved away from this position the circuit 'is broken, as

it will leave a gap between the two contacts. The operation of the device is as follows ,The spring 18 is mounted on the raised'bottom of the recess 15 in such a wa that it can Arock on the said bottom. This spring p .the ball-19 a 'nst the cam surface of the slide 20.v The orce on this ball tending to force it to the side of the recess o posite that in which the slide rests. When e slide' 2O is actuated by contact with the 'thumb piece 28, it is forced against the ball tending to push the said ball down by means of the raised point 2l until the said point is passed beyond the center of the ball. At this time the ball will be snapped to the other side of the said slide, and at the same time it is forced against the opposite side of the recess 15.

When the ball is snapped to the side of the recess in which lie the ends of the contacts 22 and 23, the said ball presses against the ends of these contacts and thus closes an electric circuit.

It can be readily understood that by means of this construction the ball is caused to quickly make or break an electric circuit, thus minimizing the arcing which is caused by breaking the circuit and prolongin greatly the life of the contacts in the switc.

While I have in this application specifically described one form of device which m invention may assume, it is evident that t e same Louis v. LcIA.

may be constructed in other forms without departin from the spirit of the invention and it wi l be understood that it is my intention to include all such forms within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is i l. In an electric snap switch, an insulating casing having a V-shaped recess, means at the apex of said recess providing a spring seat, a coiled spring resting on said Seat, a circuit closing ball member seated on the free end of said coiled spring, and a slidable cam member for depressing said ball and then forcing it to the opposite end of its path.

2. In an electric snap switch, an insulating casing, a coiled spring having one end seate in said casing, a circuit closing ball member restin upon the free end of said coiled spring and adapted to swing between its circuit controlling positions, and a slidable switch actuating member provided with a cam on its lower surface for first depressing said closin member against the action of said spring an then forcing it to the opposite circuit controlling position.

3. In an electric snap switch, a coiled spring having one end stationary, the free end of said spring being mounted to swing within a predetermined arc, a circuit controlling ball member seated on the free end of said spring and adapted to be moved thereby between the open circuit and closed circuit po. sitions, and a slidable member having a central V-shaped cam on its lower surface for first depressing said circuit closing member against the action of said spring and then forcing it to the opposite circuit controlling position.

4. In an electric snap switch, a coiled spring having one end stationary, the free end of said spring being mounted to swing 

